Sometimes You Get Away with Unwritten Contracts
One area where the distinction between written versus unwritten agreements makes a difference is in the calculation of the statute of limitations, points out Christopher G. Hill in his Construction Law Musings blog.
Virginia’s 5- year statute of limitations for written contracts — compared to the 3-year statute unwritten contracts — came into play in M&C Hauling & Constr. Inc. v. Wilbur Hale in the Fairfax, Virginia Circuit Court.
M&C provided hauling services to the defendant through a subcontract with Hauling Unlimited. No separate written contract between M&C and Hauling Unlimited or Hale existed. Hauling Unlimited filed a plea in bar to have the matter dismissed as being brought beyond the 3-year statute and argued that no signed or other written contract existed.
“The Court determined that Hauling Unlimited and Mr. Hale assented to M&C’s terms and did not insist on a signature to make their contract a written one,” writes Hill.
